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Leclerc leads the Devils to victory over Jackals 4-3 OT

February 1, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Trenton Devils News Release


TRENTON, NJ (February 1, 2008) - The Trenton Devils came into Friday's game against the Elmira Jackals expecting a penalty-ridden affair. They weren't disappointed. But they did find victory on the stick of an unlikely hero: Bill LeClerc's first goal of his ECHL career would send Trenton to victory in overtime, 4-3.

LeClerc's first multi-point game of his pro career couldn't have come at a better time. With the Devils trailing 3-2 late into the third period, the defenseman broke the puck out of Trenton's zone to Jason Paige. Paige's ringer of a shot generated a rebound that Tony Zancanaro punched in for the equalizing tally.

Zancanaro's eighth goal of the season gave LeClerc just his second assist-but the Yale alum wouldn't take long to make his own mark on the game. With the contest in overtime, LeClerc found a pass from Jim Henkel along the Elmira blue line.

With the Jackals' defense scattered and off-balance due to Trenton pressure, LeClerc had time and space to move towards the bottom dot. The lefty sniped a riser past Joel Martin that neatly caught the top-right corner of the net. LeClerc was then dragged to the ground by his celebrating teammates to the delight of the crowd.

A scoreless first period saw the chippy play both sides were expecting. With less than three minutes to go in the frame a large altercation broke out around Elmira's net following a collision between Martin and a Devil. While 56 penalty minutes resulted from the fracas, only one fight came about. Thomas Harrison threw down Bobby Robins to end that bout.

In all, 106 penalty minutes were given out between both sides, making the matchup Trenton's most penalized game of the season.

Elmira scored first 2:50 into the second period when Pierre-Luc Faubert tipped in a perfectly spotted one-timer pass from Tomas Kudelka on the power play.

Trenton responded 30 seconds later when Trevor Kell scored his first goal since returning from the Lowell Devils. Kell took a pass from Ryan Gunderson who was set up behind the net. After gaining the puck the Thunder Bay native wristed a shot to the top-left shelf.

Trenton gained a momentary 2-1 lead ten minutes later, when Stephen Wood earned his twelfth goal of the season. Set up by Eric Castonguay, the sniper lurked into the middle of the slot and rifled the rubber past Martin's stick-side.

An equalizing score by Chaz Johnson led to a tied third period, which Benoit Doucet broke with thirteen minutes to play. All three of Elmira's goals came on power play rebound shots in the crease.

Dave Caruso made 28 saves on 31 shots for his 13th win of the season. Joel Martin suffered his first loss against Trenton, stopping just 34 of 38 pucks.

The Trenton Devils finish off their longest homestand of the season when they welcome the Cincinnati Cyclones at Sovereign Bank Arena Saturday, February 2 at 7:00 p.m. Tune into WTSR 91.3 or go online to www.trentondevils.com and listen or watch live courtesy of B2 Networks.



ECHL Stories from February 1, 2008


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